Mary Josephine Alfieri

Mary Josephine Alfieri Fort Washington, MD – Mary Josephine (Muraco) Alfieri, age 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on December 15, 2018, at Fort Washington Hospital Center. She is survived by her three children, Michael (Bitsy Unkle) Alfieri; Eileen (Rob Pennington) Alfieri; and John (Sharon) Alfieri. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law, Betty Alfieri, of North Andover, MA, many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her father, mother, sister, and her husband John, the love of her life, who passed away peacefully on February 28, 2018. Born in Lawrence, MA to Michael and Catherine (Pappalardo) Muraco, she was educated in Lawrence, and graduated from Lawrence High School. She worked on Essex Street at the Super Store and often talked about those happy days. She attended several LHS class reunions, but recent failing health prevented her from attending her 70th high school reunion in October 2018. Mary and John were married on June 11, 1950 and set up their own apartment. Soon after their marriage, her father passed away unexpectedly in the hospital and John, who had enlisted in the Army, and was called to serve in the Korean War. Mary moved home to help her grieving mother and corresponded with John by mail until he returned safely home. They spent one Christmas apart while he served and were never again apart for Christmas. Mary and John had three children, Michael, born in Lawrence, MA; and Eileen and John, both born in Washington, DC. A few years after Michael was born, they moved to Washington, DC for better job opportunities. They settled in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland near her sister and brother-in-law who had already moved from Massachusetts. John worked as a barber and eventually owned his own barbershop nearby in the bustling Marlow Heights Shopping Center. Mary and John sent their children to Catholic elementary and high schools. Mary would serve at the famous Holy Family School Spaghetti Dinners and she and John attended many school dances and events. They gave their children the best education they could by sending them to LaReine and McNamara High Schools. Mary dedicated her life to her family. Mary and her sister Maisie knew how to take care of their families and made most weekends and holidays the prime place where the family wanted to gather. There was a strong Italian community in the area and the family thrived with the support of family and community. She made sure her children knew their grandparents and cousins and made a trip each year to Massachusetts to stay connected with family. Years later, cemetery visits became prayerful and lively visiting each resting place and recounting memories. The family traveled to Lawrence for many years to attend The Feast of the Three Saints to keep the Sicilian tradition alive within the family. Many of us think that the food at “The Feast” was also a good reason to make the trip “home” as Mary introduced lobster rolls, rice balls, crispelli, steamers, fried clams, Italian cookies, “real” Italian bread and good Italian sausage to her family and friends who wanted to be a part of The Feast. Mary was happy being creative, cooking, inventing or doing anything that solved a problem in any area that needed a solution. She turned her love for floral design into a career. Mary, known as “Mom” to so many and “Grandma Mary” to a lucky few touched many lives from the pharmacist to the priest, the mail carrier to the waiter as she always had a kind word, a smile and sometimes a wise-crack. She made you feel welcomed in her home, especially around her kitchen table. She gave love as if there was a never-ending supply. Anyone who met her briefly, knew her for decades, or as family knows the love and dedication she had for those she cared about. Her love is firmly planted in anyone who knew her. At peace now with her husband, John, we give thanks for the blessing to have been in the presence of true love. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mary Josephine Alfieri please visit our Sympathy Store.